Gas-generating apparatus



March 3, 1931. H. F. SMITH 1,794,478

GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed March 19,*1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 3, 1931. H, F, 5M|T|| 1,794,478. Y

GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed March 19.v 1928 '5 sheets-sheet 2 f /75 ATTORNEYS.

March 3, 1931. H. F. SMITH GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed March 19. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1E ff Y INVENTOR. LA/v7 '4 M BY- I C) fr TE-' 1 .Z1

WM A TTORNEYS.

March 3, 1931. H, F, SMITH 1,794,478

GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEIYToR.

m f 1 i K n@ A TTORNEYS.

March 3, 1931.

H. F. SMITH GAS GENERATI NG APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INI/ENTOR.

mai

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mai. a, 193i -jnAn-RY F. sii/.tiranni ens-Gratnnarine Arrana'riis Vj Appiicaaon. .riiea March ie, leas., fseriai N6. 262,826.5

This invention relatesto gas generation and more particularly` to the generation of gas for domes 'c'orhousehold use. Y y

VOne of the principal` objects of the inven- 5 tion is toprovide for the production and distribution of combustible gas,` particularly for domestic and household use, and for remote control of the generation and distribution.

Another vobject of the invention is to pro'- io vide apparatus for-producingsuch combustible in which the generation can be controlled froinone or more distant points.

Another object of theinvention isto pro-V vide a gas-generating and distributing system of this character in Whi ch the generation' and distribution of thegas is automaticallycontrolled during gas-makingoperationand during standby periods.' y n till another object. of the invention is to provide such gas.-generatingv and distributing apparatus in .which the generation and distributionof the gas will be automatically controlled to prevent `improper functioning of the apparatus. f e Otheriobfects and advantages of the invention `Willbe apparent from the following description yvvhen talrenin connection with the accompanyingdrawing 'and appended claims. f K ,c v 4 ln the drawing yin which vlike characters of reference designate llike parts throughout vthe several v`views. thereof, i

Eig; l front elevational view, somewhat c diagrammatic, "ofa gas-producing and dis# .tributing system einbodyingthis invention;

Fig. 2 is aneiid sectional vievvtakenon the plane of the line 2-2of Figzl;

Fig. 3 is a verticalsectioiialfvievv taken'on the plane of the line 3- 3 ofFigsl` l, 4, ande,v

illustrating parts of the control apparatus; inciudinovthe electrolytic switch and relay switch Vmechanisin, andV sylplion`-and vent valve mechanism; l

Fig. l is a `vertical sectionallvieiv taken on `the plane of the line fl-V-ljof Figs. 3 aiidv; j

Figz is a horizontal sectional view taken on the planeof the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.7;' .5

la view, diagrammatic in' charac ter, of the control apparatus'of thegas-geny ting system, .including .a Wiring diagram;

removed; .y y I Figzfl() is a horizontal sectional vietvof Fig. 7 vis an end elevation of the control apparatus of Fig. 3, loolingfroin the right of 3, certain parts being broken away yand'in section to more clearly illustratey the construction ;A i c.

Figz is a side elevation, With parts broken away and in section, of a portion ofthe apparatus illustrated in Fig. 7, the View being taken` looking .from the right of Fig. 7 or from the' rear of F ig. 3;

lig..9fis a plan view of .theirelay switch mechanisni` ofthe control apparatus, the viewl being taken looking down on the top of Figs.` 3 "and l with the. cover section the pressureleali tubeineclianism of the control apparatus taken at right anglesl to the plane-oftheline 10j-10 vof Fig. l;

`Fig. 1,1 isla view similar to Fig. 8 of a slightly modified' form of sylphon control apparatus;v f f Fig; lZis a partial sectional view taken on the plane of the `line 12-12 of Fig. ll; andv fh.' 13 isan elevational ,view with parts n away andin section of a somewhat .inodiedforni of pressure leak tube mechanismL/f y Y The invention foriniiig'the subject-matter of the.present!application is analogousto,

and in some respects an improvement on, the

tions of Harry FQSmith, Serial No. 469,976

iiled- Mayl, 1921,"and `Serial No. 75,316 tiled December .lfl',11925.

' Referring tothe i drawing Which discloses Y a` preferredl embodiment of the, invention, Fig.

lshovvs a domestic or household gas-generat ing'. system kcomprising agas producer or generator indicated generally at 14. `Thisproducer may lbe of'any suitable character but the conventional type of producer rheretofore 'lrnoivnhas not been found at all satisfactory or capable ofproperlv functioning when constructed'inthe small sizes Which should be f used for domesticor household use. .There nAYroN, omaassicuriamo rHn dasy RESEARCH COMPANY, or Y i Darren, oni oonroanrion v'or-omo y .invention-shown in the co enclin@` a elica-.

The gas-generating system may be either pressure operated or suction operated, as desired. But preferably it is suction operated, the gas-generating system with the eX- ception of the delivery line being under partial vacuum which prevents the possibility of leakage of gas from the gas-generating system into the surrounding atmosphere. A suitable blower is provided, which may be of any conventional character; very satis factory results have been secured with a blower comprising a centrifugal fan having radial blades revolving in a volute casing. Not only does such a blowereliiciently andsati'sfactorily provide suit-able suction for blasting the fuel bed of the producer and for forcing the generated gas under adequate pressure through the delivery line, but it is quiet in operation and lends itself nicely to control during operation. This blower is driven by suitable power means illustrated as an electric motor 16.

The inlet or suction side of the blower designated by the numeral 18 is connected to the outlet of the producer, means for cooling and purifying the generated gas being interposed between the producer and the blower inlet. Suction produced `by ythe blower serves to draw a blast of air through the air intake 20 of the producer, this air passing through the pipe 20 into the ashpit of the base 21 of the producer where it is mixed with a suitable quantity ofmoisture withdrawn from a saturator chamber 28 (see Fig. 10) also positioned within the base of the producer, therblast of air and moisture passing up through the fuel bed to generate` combustible gas, this being hereinafter termedy blasting. The generated gas passing off from the producer through the offtake 23 enters a radiator 24 which may be of any suitable' construction to effectively cool the withdrawn gas. As shown, the radiator comprisesametallic casing having therein a centrally arranged upstanding baliie 25 to provide a constricted tortuous passagefor the gas designed to bring the gas inte intimate contact with the walls The gas entering the radiator 24 from the oiitake 23 passesup on one side of the baffle 25 to the top of the radiator, and then over the top of the baille which is spaced from the top wall of the radiator and Vdown on the other sideof.

the baille to the outlet 26. The outlet 26 discharges into a purifier indicated generally V.at 27. This purifier is preferably of the A.character of that shown in the patent of Harry F. Smith, No. 1,549,158, dated August 11, 1925, or that shown in the copending application of Harry F. Smith, Serial No. 141,- 544, iiled October 14, 1926. The outlet of the purifier is connected to the inelt 18v of the blower.

The gas drawn from the purifier by the blower is forced from the Vblower casing through the Aoutlet pipe 30 under a desired pressure, the pressure ordinarily in household use beinO only a few inches of water. Connected to this outlet pipe 30 is a suitable control or vent valve mechanism indicated generally at 32 by means of which the outlet pipe'inay be connected either'te a delivery line 33 or to a vent pipe 34. Normally when the plant i-s not in operation, this valve mechanism is positioned to close the delivery line and to connect the outlet of the producer to the vent pipe. If a producer of this kind is operated continuously it will of course furnish combustible gas continuously, but this tends to unnecessarily increase the cost of operation, since when none of the work devices are in use the generated gas would be wasted to the atmosphere. Consequently the gas-generating system shown herein is adapted for what may be called intermittent operation, in that the plant operates to generate gas, generally, only during demand for gas or when gas is being used at a work device. Consequently if the plant has been standing idle,-standing by as it is e: 'called-3 it maybe necessary to blast the fuel bed at a comparatively rapid rate for a brief period in order to bring it up to good gas-making condition. During starting of the plant, and during any such blowing-up period, the blower should be connected to a vent pipe, asA otherwise the incombustible products of the blasting would be forced into the house. Generally the gas producer or generator and itsV associated equipment will be located in the basement of the house, or in some outhouse, while the work devices, such as a gas stove indicated diagrammatically at 35, the hot-water tank, gas grates and the like, will be located in the living quarters of the house,'so that the producer and the work devices may be located many feet apart. This invention provides control apparatus whereby operation of the gas-generating plant may be effectedand controlled from a distantpoint, such for instance as from a suitablev control switch 36 located at the kitchen stove, or some other similar convenient place, Vsuch control being hereinafter termed remote control. Tn' actual practice this switch is preferably attached directly to the manifold 37 of the stove, within which are located the various individual burn er valves which control operation of the stove. i Y A The outlet pipe 30 of the blower is connected to the inlet pipe 40 of the valve casing 41 yforming a Vpart of the lventvalve mechanism 32. The casing 41 is'divided by an vupstanding circular partition 42 into two compartments 43 and 44: The'compartment 43 is connected through the inlet opening 40 to the outlet 3() of the blower, the compartment44 being connected by the pipe connection 45 to 'the house-delivery line 33. Inasdefinite maximum pressure at much as lthe centrifugal blower. delivers a maximum operating speed,the cross-section. vor thev passage or outletconnection 45deterinines the maximum vamount of gas which-may pass into 'the `houseline ,during operation.` The upstanduig circular partition 42 is constructed to foiinfavalve seat 47 upon which rests in one position of operation a ydisc valve-48. The Aupper end oi the casing 41 is provided with a `centrally "arranged lopening A49. liviounted upon the upper end ol the casing 4l in gas-tight relation and enclosing the opening 49 is a second casing 50, which is attached tothe casing 4l bya plurality of screws or bolts 5l (see Fig.' 5), suitable packing material V2 being preferably positioned between the two casings to form a tight joint. AThe 'upper casing-.50 is formed with a centrally arrangedV hollowV projection 53 forming there` beneath a chamber 54 to which isconnected by a pipe'tconnectiony 55 the ventpi-pe 34. The' `annular lower edge of the projection ,53 oi, the casingvO isconstiucted to provide a second valve seat with which the disc valve k48 Acontacts when inkr its raised position. The

, construction is suclrthat when the valve 48 is init-s lower position and rests upon the seat 47,'the producer vis then disconnected troniA` the y'delivery line .and connectedmto the vent pipe through the inlet opening 40, chambers 48 and54, outletpassage 5andventpip`e 34. lWhen thejvalve 48iis in its raised position and contacts with the valve seatj?, the producer is thendisconnected'from the vent and lconnected directlyl to the'housedine through the inlet opening 40, chambers 43 and 44, outlet connection and delivery pipe 33.

The present invention provides remote control means for eliecting startingo't the producer gas plant andv for shuttingdown the plant at Y will, and automatic means which come into play upon starting of the plant to control.'automatically the. distribution of gas in accordance with the character. of tlielgas asr to whetherit is' combustible er not,.andto automatically maintain predetermined .ope'r- ,Y ating conditions within thegas delivery line,

, and to automatically shut down the plant and otherwise safeguard thefoperator when abnormal conditions'existin the gas-generating system;l For eiiecting the control oi the starting and stopping of the plant at will,-the

remote control switch 36, which in practiceis preferably ofthe press-button'type, is atwobutton switch, yand each'button opens or closes contact through: a line switch. As. shown diagrainmaticallyfin.ig@ 6, there isa cstart switch 60, Lwhich operates to close'the proper Tcircuits to causethe blower to startoperating c to blast the producer, and a stop switch 6l ywhich stopsoperationofthe blower and. shuts downr the plant. `Onefside oi eaclrof the switches and 6l is preferably .grounded on the store @fin eer-Other" Suitable meneer, @S

switclnthe construction of which isA clearly disclosed in Fig.v '9.L The .other side of `the Lcoil; 69 isconnected by` a lead 70 to a wire 7l, 80

which in( turn is connected to a wire 72. leadi ing to one of the secondary terminalsof a conventional transformer 73, the other secondary terminal otthe transformer being grounded at 74. `The primaryterininals of 85 the `transformer are connected bywvires I and 7 6 acrossthefusual house-lighting line, indicated by the wires 78 and 7 9, thereby fur-` nishing a very convenientr source of electrical energy. Of course other sources of electrical 90 energy can be used, such as storage batteries,Jy

l.but with the construction'shown it is :only v necessary to lplug into theusual house-lighting line. A suitable `line switch 80 is'provided to control the Vconnection of the electrical cir- ..95 cuits ofthe 'plant with-the house-lighting line.

1While the usual y11G-.volt current available in the house-lighting line may be used directly in the various electrical circuits, itis preferable to use current in the control circuits 013.100 Vmuch lower voltage to prevent possibility of accident and danger of fire due tofaulty wiring and the like. Consequently the` 11G-volt current is preferably stepped down inthe transformer 73 to` providea much lower volt-` ,105 age, usually about siX volts, for operating the various `control circuits.

Associated with the electromagnet 69 is a Hpivoted armature vprovided with an inte- '.grally extending armSGhaving-an upturnedllo end portion 87.-,` The armature Pois mounted :upon yapivotvpin,88jcarried by a metal ring 89, which is in turn mounted upon. av casting 90 vcarried at the upperends of screw-thread- 4'edtubesQl and 91" which are attached at..115

their lower ends into threaded socketsr92 and 92 respectively formed.' within the upper casing 50. The casting Y is thus suitably spaced from `the upperA portion of the casing 50 to provide room or'an lectrolytic switch-.e120

control inechanisinV indicated generally at.94,'

`which rests rupon spacedlugs y93 provided on the upper surface of the Vcasing 50. Acmetal Jacket 95 preferably encloses the switch inech-k anisin, the. jacket resting-at its LVlower endf3125 upon-*an outstanding annular flange 96 Lforrned'on the casing50, andslidably engagingfat upper end the casting 90. 'The casting is provided with annular grooves 98 adaptedctoreceive the'lowerend of va cover ,130

casing 99 which Vencloses the relay control switch mechanism, the casing 99 being bolted to the casting 90 by suitable screws 100 which pass into threaded sockets 101 formed within the casting 90.V Also attached to the casting 90 by screws 102are two standards 103 which serve to support a transverselyextending bar 104. Attached to thebar 104 by clamping members 104 are `leafesprings 105 and 106 which carry at their outer ends electrical contacts 107 and 108 respectively, the metal leafsprings forming part of an electrical circuit containing the contacts 107and 108. The

. contact 108 is connected by the metal spring l106 and a binding post 106 to a wire 109 which in turn is connected to one side 7 8 of the house-lighting line through the switch 80. The contact 107 is connected by the metal spring 105 and a. binding post 105 to a wire 110 which in turn is connected to an electrode 127 of the electrolytic switch mechanism 94. Y

This electrolytic switch mechanism is constructed to provide non-arcing contact mechanism which will effectively withstand operation in which the contacts are normally broken many times a minute without deterioration, thereby insuring long life of the apparatus. This electrolytic switch mechanism is preferably of the type described in the 20 copending application of Harry F. Smith,

' Serial No. 230,881, filed November 3, 1927.

As shown the switch comprises a suitable v i container 115l preferably of glass which is seated upon the projection 53 of the casing 50.

The container 115 is adapted to hold a quantity of a suitable electrolyte indicated at 116.

A Tn practice it has been found that very satisy resin composition.

factory results are obtained where this electrolyte consists of very dilute sulphuric acid. A thin layer 117 of parafiin oil or the like is preferably flowed on top of the electrolyteon the exterior ofthe tube 126 to prevent evaporation. Mounted yupon the top of the container 115 is a cover member'118, preferably "'45 constructed 'of a material which is a nonconductor of electricity, such as a rubber or of the ring 120 is screw-threaded as indicated at 125 and receives thereon Va tube 126, preferably of glass, the lower open' end of which extends down within the electrolyte within the container 115. `Mounted within the tube 126 is the electrode 127, which maybe of any Attached to the upper sidevof the cover 118 is an annular metal ring suitable character, preferably a carbon electrode. As shown, the electrode 127 is fastened within the tube 126 by means of a screw .130 which passes downwardly through a metal washer 131 and through the gaskets 121 and 122 and the cover 118 and is embedded within the carpon electrode, the upper end of the screw 130 also serving as a binding Ypost for the wire 110. Positioned within the container 115 and yon the exterior of the tube 126 is a second electrode 135 which extends down adjacent the lower end of the container to be at all times immersed within the electrolyte. i referably a quantity of granulated carbon 36 is placed within the container 115 in rder to increase the effective conducting sur- 'ace contact between the electrode 135 and he electrolyte. The electrode 135 is mounted on the coverby a screw 137, which screw also serves as a binding post to which is connected a lead 138 which in turn is connected to one terminal of the electric motor 16. The other terminal of the motor 16 is connected by a lead 139 to the other side 79 of the houselighting line. This construction provides 110-volt' current for the efficient operation of the electric motor, while the various control circuits are supplied with low voltage current. The electric motor circuit thus includes a main switch having contacts Y107 and 108, and an. 'auxiliary switch comprising the electrodes 127 and 135 and the electrolyte 116 in series withthe main switclnboth of which switchesmust be closed for the motor to operate.

Mounted inthe cover 118 and extending down within the tube 126 is a small tube 140 which stops short of the lower end of the electrode 127. The metal ring 119has bolted thereto a member 141 having a passage 142 therein which is in communication Vwith the passage within the tube 140, the member 141 surrounding the upper exposed end of the tube 140 in gas-tight relation. The other end of the member141 is provided with a bore through which extends the tube 91. This tube is hollow providing a passage 143, which opens at its lower end into a passage 144 formed within the casing 50, and which opens at its-upper end through a port 146 formed in the wall of the tube 91 into the passage 142. The passage 144 opens through a port 145 formed in the casingj 41 into the inlet opening 40 connected to the discharge side of the blower. Thus the pressure on the discharge side of the blower is at all timescommunicated to the space within the tube 126 of the felectrolyticswitch by means of the port 145, passage 144, passage 143, port 146,

`passage 142, and tube 140. Also carried by the cover 118 is a distilled water filling Vtube 147 positioned on the exterior of the tube 126.

When the plant is not operating, the valve 48 will be positioned upon the valve seat 47 Y at the top of the partition 42 to thereby close of the tube'126 within the container 115 is at Y all times maintained at atmospheric pressure by means of a port 148 opening through the cover 118.r Consequently the levels of the electrolyte on the inside and outside of th' tube '126 will tend to equalize, the electrolyte at this time contacting with the electrode 12?"- as shown in'Fig. 3 and thusclosing the electrolytic switch through the immersed electrode 135. So when the start,switch 60 is closed to startoperationjof the plant, `this will energize the electromagnet 69 and attract the armature 85, the movement of which serves to close the contacts 10',7 and' 108 of the mainswitch'of the motor cicuit. lThis is accomplishedby means cfa pin 150 carried by the arm: 86 ofthe armature 85,v

the pin extending below the arm 86l in a position to contact with the 'spring 106. rEhe pin 150 is also extended upwardly andpasses through an opening formed within the cover v99 to thereby provide for manual operation of this armature and switclrwhendesired. The auxiliary electrolytic switch being closed at this time when the main switch is closed, operation of the blower 15 isstar-ted to blast the fuel` bed ofV thezproducerg.;-Because of Ythe positioning 'ofthe valve :48,tlie Jfed fromthe blower will pass-freely throughV he vent tothe atmosphere, the houseline ren inainiiig shut oi'll from the blower. rlhe vent pipe and. passagesare preferably provided with an orifice 148 of predetermined size to provide for a definite-maximum blowing-up rate, and this of sufficient size to give a rapid blow-up ofthe fuel bed of the produc-v ,or upon starting or upon bringing the fuel bed up togo-od gas-making condition. Thek capacity of the blower is preferably somewhat greater than .this maximum blowing up rate, thereby insuring that the tempera- I ture of the fuel bed of the producer is rapidly brought up to a. degree at which good combustible is generated, So vlong as the switch 60 is held closed and the valve 48 remains seated'4 on the partition 42 with the blower outlet connected to the vent pipe, the

blower, under the control of the electrolytic' switch will continue to operate to blow in the fuel bed. l

Provided in the partition 42 is an critic-e.

or passage 151 which connects the chamber 43 with 4thechamber 44. Connected to the chamber 44 through the outlet Connection 45 is a fluid port 152- formed in the casing V41, which portA 152 is incommuni'cation with a passage 153 formed in the casing 50, the passage 153-being in turn in communication wit-lia passage 154 formed within the hollow tube 91. The upper end of the passage 154 is incomniunication through a port 154y formed in the wall of the tube 91 with a pas- 'sag'e 155 formed in the casting 90, the passage 155- opening withinl a chamber 155 also formed within the casting 90. The chamber 1 55 is enclosed at its upper end by a flexible diaphragm 156 which is clamped between the lower casting90 andthe upper metal ring 89 by means of a yplurality of screws 157.

l astened toA the central portion of the diaphragm is a weight 158 which v at all times urges the 1 diaphragm downwardly. The weight 158 carries an iipstanding pin 159 which'passes through an opening within the cover 99 .to provide for manual operation `when desired. Also carried by the weight 158 and preferably formed integrallytherci1 with is an arm 160 which extends radially of the-relay switch mechanism and is pivotally mounted yupon a pin 161 carried in suitable bearing lugs 162 mounted upon the retaining ring 89. Attached to the arm 160 is an up` standing armor pin 163-',the arm 160 and the pin163 thus forming in effect a' bellcrank lever'pivoted upon the pin 161. The pin '163 is enclosed within a loop or reverse bend of a spring 164, which'spring is fasi tened at one'end to a second .pivoted arma-` ture 165.2 The armature l165 carries an inte-AL grally eXtending'arm1166 which isprovided with a down-turnedy end 168 and adjacent its end with a locking slot 167. f f

The construction is such' `that when the cstart switch 60 is closed and the blower is startedrto blast the fuel bed ofthe producer and to discharge the gas under pressure through the inlet opening 40 to the rent pipe,l a portion of the gas passes throu gli the orifice 151 and builds up a pressure within the chainber 44 and associated delivery pipe33. This pressure is communicated to the chamber155 beneath the diaphragm 156'by'the port 152,

passage 153, passage 154, port 154, and pasi sage 155". As this pressure is built up within ieu the chamber 155, the diaphragm 156-is raised thus rocking the end yofthe arm -about the pivotpin 161, This roc'lii'ig movement causes the pin 163 t0 rock outwardly against the action of t io spring 164, this in `turn swinging the armature aboutits pivot pin 170 carried by the y retaining ring 89. The

armaturey 85 had of course been; previously'l rocked about its pivot 88 immediately upon actuation I tion shown'in full lines in Fig. 9. As long-as the starting button 60 is'held' closed,f'tliis armature 85 is held in'this full-line position which servesto maintain the contacts 10i' and 108 of the main switch closed against the of the start switch 60 tothe posiwith consequent movement of the diaphragm` 156 resulting in clockwise movement of the armature 165 into the vposition shown in full i lines in Fig. 9. the locking arm 166 otthis armature 165 comes into locking engagement with the arm86 oi." the armature 85 to thereby hold this arm in circuit-closing position, the upturned end 87 being then positioned within the locking slot 167. As soon as this condition is realized, the operator may re-v move his finger from the switch 60, as the motor circuit is then held closed so long as the pressure within the chamber 155 is suliiciently great to hold the diaphragm up. rlhus a pressure operated holding` means is provided for holding the main motor circuit switch closed.

The description of the starting operation as set out above presupposes that thehouseline is tight-has no leaks of any sort in it. `When the blower is started gas will pass through the Vorifice 151 at a predetermined rate. Il' the house-line is tight the pressure will accordingly build up quite rapidly in the chamber 44 and house-line, and acting through the passage connecting the chamber 44 with the chamber 155,y will cause upward movement of the Y diaphragm 156, as described, to hook-up the plant,-that is Vto latch the main motor circuit contacts closed. It, however, a valve has been carelessly lett open in the house-line, or any other leak 01"' material size exists, the limited quantity of gas passing through the small orilice 151 will not be sufficient to cause a building up of pressure in the line and in the chamber 44" will be only so long as the switch is heldk closed. And the plant will refuse to operate in the regular manner so long as a substantial leak exists in the house-line, which renders it fool-proof, for the arrangement eerscribed makes it impossible for anyone to so operate the plant so long as leakage occurs. Also it inevitably indicates to the operator that something is wrong.

F ormedV in the casing 50, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5 is a secondv passage 175 which is in communication with a chamber 176 provided in the upper end of a coil box supporting casting 177 bolted to the casing 50 by bolts 173 receiving nuts 174. This chamber is formed beneath a flexible diaphragm 178 which is clamped between an upper rectangular surface formed on the casting 177 and a binding post cover member 179 by means of a plurality orp screws 180. The diaphragm 178 carriesV a weight 182 which urges this diaphragm downwardly. The weight 182 is fastened to the diaphragm 178 by means of a bolt 183 and nut 184. Connected to the bolt 183 which forms one contact of a switch is a flexible wire 185 connected to a binding post 186 carried by the cover member 179. Positioned in alignment with a central opening 188 within the-cover member 179 is a second kcontact 189 carriedby a spring conductor 190 which in turn is 1fastened to a binding post 191. The binding post 186 is connected by means oi a wire 192 to one of the primary terminals or" a spark coil 194 carried by the support 177 and securely fastened thereto by means of a screw 195. The other primary terminal of the spark coil 194 is grounded to any stationary part of' the apparatus as indicated at 196 in Fig. 6. The Contact 189 is connected by a lead 197 to the lead 72 of the transformerto thereby supply low-voltage current to this control circuit. A cover member 198 is provided for enclosing the binding post member 179 and the wires therein, this cover being fastened in position by means of a threaded bolt 199 secured to the member 179 and receiving a retaining nut 199. The cover 198 is provided with a suitable opening 198 through which extend the wires of the electrical circuits connected to the binding post member.

Bolted to the supporting casting 177 b v means ot bolts 200 is a burner casting` 201. This casting 201 is constructed. with a hollow upper portion providing therein a chamber 202, and a lower depending leg which receives the bolts 200 and Jfastens the same securely to the casting 177. The upper portion of the casting 201 is also provided with a circular passage 203 which is in communication through an inclined passage 204 formed in the casting 177 with the chamber 176 beneath the diaphragm 178. The outer end ot the hollowed portion of the casting 201 is flared upwardly and provided with a narrow elongated slot shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 at 206, forming in effect a fan-tail burner. Carried integrally by the casting 201 is a side leg 208 which carries an upstanding stationary arm 209. At its upper end, the arm 209 is bifurcated providing two spaced extensions 210, as shown clearly in Fig. 7. Positioned intermediate the upper ends of the exiso tensions 210 is a tube 211 which' isjinounte-d upon a pin 212 passing through VsuitableiV aligned bores 213 formed in the upper ends of the extensions 210 and, also` through an aligned bore 214 in the tube211. rilhe tube 211 is interiorly screw-threaded and receives therein a screw 215, the end of which bears against the pin 212 to lock the parts in assembled relation. rlhe pin 212 being rotatablyl mounted inthe bores 213 ofthe extensions 210, the tube 211 is thus provided with a pivotal connection at the upperends of the extensions 210. The other.screwsthreaded end vof the tube 211 receives the exteriorly screw-- 224 comprises an elongated member U'fsliape'd in crossssectionas shown clearl in Fie; 7

which is pivoted at one end upon apin 227v v passing through aligned bores 228 formed in the extensions 210 and through 'aligned bores 229 formed in bearing lugs on the casing 224.

' The pin227 is clamped by' alscrew 230 passing through a threaded lcounterb'ore formed in one ofthe extensions 210, -against rotation with respect to the extensionsl210, the casing 224. being constructed to rock aboutV the pins 227.' The' outer ends of thepinv 227 are provided with enlarged heads 231 to prevent side play of the pin. Y The construction isfsuch that they burner slot 206 is positioned beneath the sylphon 219. One end of they sylphon 219 is rigidly fastened to the pivoted casing 224, ywhiler the other end of the sylphon is pivotally mounted on the stationary'arms 210. Consequently'expansion of the sylphon with an increase inits effective'length Yresults in rocking the casing 224 clockwise about its pivot pin 227 to thereby increase the effective distance be-V tween the pivot pin 212 to which one end of the sylphon is attached and the connection 223 to which the other end ofthe sylphon is attached. Conversely, contraction ofthe sylphon rocks the casing` 224 counter-clock#V wisel about its pivot pin 227. Counter-clockwise movement of the casing 224 is limited by 'V a vstol'ol234 which is screw-threa-dedlyA mounted within the arm 208. a 'loclfing ynut 235fbeing' provided to lock the stop l234 in adjusted position. VThis stop engages an end` extension 237 of the casing e2 224- 'The opposite end Uof the casing '224- is pro- The videdwith second extension 238 lwhich is positioned toy contact upon'clockwise roclrf ing 'movement of thevk casing 224 with the end ofk an actuating lever 240 fastened to the vvent valve 48. As shown, the casing 50 is provided with a bore 241l through which the lever 240 extends, and within which the le` ver is pivoted by a ball pivot 242. The inneren'd of the lever 240 is pivotally mountedl upon a pin 243 which is fastened withintvvo spaced upstanding lugs 244 carried by the valve 48. kThe diameter of the outer end of the bore 241 is materially `largerthan the diameter-of the lever 240 to permit of rochlng movement suiicient in extent to raise the valve from its seat rvupon the partition 42 and y to bring it into Contact with the 'valve` seatv 57 to thereby close ofi' communication be? tween the producer and the vent pipe 34, and to open communication between the producer and the *house-line 33. The outer end of the bore-241is closed by means of a handle .guide member 246` fastened tothe casing 50 by screws 247 7 thegui-de member'also havinga bore through which vthe handle passes. On

the outer end of the handle is fastened by a nut 247 a grip member 249. ,Lubrication of the ball pivot 242 provides for easy manipulation of the vent valve and alsoefl'ec tively seals the bore 241 against the leakage of gas. Expansion of the sylphon 219 thus produces a rocking movement of the casing 224 suiiicient to bringk the extension 238 into contact with the member 249 and to effect bodily movement .of the vent valve H48 toA close communication between the producer and the-vent pipe and to open communica tion between the producer and the houseline. Contraction of the sylphon on the 0ther hand rocks the casing'224 out ofthe path`Yv of the grip member 249 and permits the valve 48 to 'drop uponitslower seat to close communication between the producerand' thek house-line` and to` open communication be' tween the producer and the vent pipe. Man-1 f ual operation of the vent valve is also per? mitted as desired through the agencyof the i, i

exposed gripuneinber ,249.` Ther construction is such that when the valve 48v is `Once raised,the norma-l pressure of the gas passing through .the casing under the action of the blowerl is suiiicient'to maintain the valve in its raised position. Y

@ne of thesecondary terminals of the spark coil 194 is connected by ja lead250 to aV sparl-plugr251 having a point 252' suitablyuspaced from the point 253offa second sparkplug 254. The plugs'251i and 2,54are mountedtwithin suitable openings.' in flanges 255 formed integral with the casting 201 and extending outwardly at right angles to thej side leg 208. A second supporting plate256 provided with openings receiving the smaller ends of the plugs fis bolted to they lower side of thev casting 201 by means of a bolt' 257 5 the larger portions of the plugs resting on the su ortinff late 256 and contact-ino' withzther D C flanges 255, thereby holding them in lined position. points of the spark-plugs are positioned directly above the burner slot 206 oit the bypass burner beneath the sylphon 219. The other secondary terminal of the spark-coil 194 is grounded as indicate-d at 259. Only a single spark-plug need be used, the point of which is suitably spaced `from a groundk by a pipe261, connected to the discharge side or" the blower 15 at any suitable point such as the inlet pipe 40 or the valve chamber 43. A valve 262 is provided in the vpipe 261 whereby the burner 260 may be turned on or off as desired, and the supply ot gas to the burner may becontrolled. The casing otra domestic hot-water heateris in-dicated in Fig. 1 at 266, and a water coil at 267, which coil may bev connected to a hotwater storage tank (not shown) in a wellknown manner.

In operation, after the start switch 60 is closed and the plant is hooked up, assuming the delivery main to be gas-tight, a portion of the gas discharged by the blower 15 into the chambers 43 and 54 of the valve casing passes through the passage 175 into the chamber 176 beneath the diaphragm 17 8, producing a gas pressure therein. This pressure raises the diaphragm 178 and brings the contact 183 into engagement with the spaced contact 189 to close the primary circuit of the spark-coil 194. This energization ot the spark-coil produces acurrent in the secondary circuit with the result that sparking is produced at the spark-'plugs 251. and 254 and also at the plug 264. rlhe gas passing into the chamber 176 escapes through the passages 204 and 208 into the burner chamber 202 where it issues through the burner slot 206. As soon as the gas becomes combustible, it ignites, and the burning of this gas beneath the sylphon 219 rapidly heats this expansible member. rlhe sylphon is preferably provided with a liquid which vaporizes readily upon the application of heat to give a rapid pressure rise within the closed sylphon chamber. Any suitable liquid may be used for this purp0se,very satisfactory results being secured with water. Therefore, asv soon as the gas becomes of good combustible quality and burns freely from the The construction is such that theburner slot 206, a gas pressure is rapidly formed within the sylphon 219 which rocks the sylphon casing 224 about its pivot pin 227 and moves the handle 240 of the vent valve 48 to shift this vent valve into position to connect the producer with the house line 33. Thus the plant is automatically shifted to disconnect the producer from the vent pipe and to connect the producer to the house line when the gas becomes combustible. At the same time, as soon as the gas becomes combustible, the burner 260 is ignited to provide heattor its associated work device during operation of the plant. fis the vent valve is thus shifted, the supoly or' gas is automatically cut off to the sylphon burner 206, while the supply ot' gas to the burner 260 is maintained. As gas is no longer being discharged through the bypass 175 to the sylphon burner, the weight 182 causes the diaphragm 178 to drop to break the contacts 183 and 189, so that the igniting n eans is automatically rendered inoperative as the vent valve is shifted.

l/Vhen the points of the spark-plugs 251 and 254 are positioned so that continuous sparking takes place directly beneath the sylphon 219 when the contacts 183 and 189 of the sparkcoil circuit are closed, it is found that this incessant sparking produces some combustion of the gas even though the gas is not yet in a condition to maintain combustion of itself without the aid of the incessant sparking. rlhe result is that the sylphon may be prematurely heated and throw the vent valve 48 before the gas becomes of good combustible quality. To prevent such an occurrence, a construction such as shown clearly in Figs. 7 and 8 is provided. The points ot the sparkplugs are positioned to one side of the sylphon 219 above an extended end ot' the burnerslot 206. Between the plugs and the sylphon and above the burner slot is mounted a baiiie 268, which baille is carried by the casting 201. The lower end of the baille 268 is slightly spaced from the burner slot 206. With this construction, the incessant sparking of the plugs does not prematurely a'tl'ect the sylphon 219, the heated products or' combustion resulting from the sparking passing oft1 through the slots 269 formed in the upper portion of the sylphon casing 224 without coming in direct contact with the sylphon. However, as soon as the gas becomes ol' good combustible quality, it will flash down beneath the baille 268 and ignite the gas issuing from the burner slot 206 on the far side ot the baie, and the burning gas will then direct-ly affect the sylphon 219 to automatically throw the vent valve 48. The slots 269 in the sylphon casing 224 not only provide eective circulation of the products of combustion upwardly through thev casing about the sylphon, but also permit rapid circulation of cooling air through the casing when gas is not being supplied to the sylphon burner. The metal of the sylphon gas. But this can not happen with these controls. For when the house-line current fails, pressure within the house-line will of course also fall, one or more burners being open. Pressure beneath the diaphragm 156 will then fall and the weight 158 will move the diaphragm to a position which rocks the pin 163 inwardly against the spring 164, hereby rocking the locking arm 166 counclocl vise about its pivot 170 to the dotter x ted-line position shown in Fig. 9, to thereby release the arm 86 which is then moved by the spring 106 to the dotted-line .position 'shown in Fig. 9 to permit opening of the main motor circuitcontacts 107 and 108. The valve 48 will then be no longer sustained by the pressure ot' the gas butlwill drop onto the partition 42 to connect the blower to the vent pipe. And so when currentiiow through the house-line is resumed the motor switch is open, the producer is connected to the ventV pipe, and the motor can not start until there has been outside interventiomf-sueh as the operator starting in thenormal manner.

The blower at its normal rate of oper tion delivers gas at such a rate that thereisa tendency for the pressurein the valve casing to continue to build up when the producer is com'iected to the house-line 33. As this pressure increases it acts through the passage including the port 145, passage 144, passage 1413, port 146, passage 142 and tube 1110 to a1?.- 'tect the pressure existent within the tube 126 upon the top surta-ce of the electrolyte 116, and forces the electrolyte downwardly and out'into the container 115. As the pressure continues to build up, the electrolyte isliiorced downwzwdly below the lower end ot the elec-V trode 127 to break the motor circuit. lith consumption ot gas at a work device, the pressure then falls within the delivery line and inlet opening 40, which falling .pressure is communicated to the space within the tube 126'with the resultthat the electrolyte rises again into Contact with the electrode 127 to Vagain make the motorcircuit. The relative arrangement and proportioning of the parts is such that when the pressure has dropped sulicientlv to permitthe electrolyte to again Acontact with the electrode 127, this pressure is still suiiiciently high to hold the diaphragm 156 in its upper position to maintain the main motor circuit contacts 107 and 108 latched in closed position, and to hold the vent valve L18 up against its seat. As the pressure in the delivery line rises, therefore, aboveY a predetermined normal the current in the motor cir- Vfor example. Y` Or the cuit is iiiterrupted;` and as the pressure falls thermotor circuit will be'again closed as soon as the' electrolyte rcomes in contact with the electrode 127. Thus a continuously intermitmovable parts ot the motor and blower generally do not cease movement, for the contact mechanism is responsive to slight pressure fluctuations and therefore the breaking of the motor circuit as the normal pressure is eX- ceeded is so briet` that inertia of the motor and blower parts will cause continued rotation thereof. And the practical eilect is to secure a substantially uniform gas pressure, with a very accurate and simple control for motors oiV conventional construction and characteristics.

1V hen it is desired to terminate operation of the plant for a" period, the button of the stop switchV 61 is pressed to close that switch, which acts through a conductor 275 leading to a. coil276 of asecond'electromagnet also mounteduponthe retaining ring 89 ot thev relay switch mechanism. The circuit of the electromagnet 276 is completed through a lead 277 which is connected to the common return wire 71 for both magnets 69 and 276 andthe wire 7 2 to the transformer 73. The electromagnets 69 and 27 6 are preferably mounted upon a base plate 278 which is fasrtened to the retaining ring 89 by means of a plurality of screws 279. Energization ot' the electromagnet 276attracts the pivoted armature 165 to thereby'swing the locking` arm 166 into its dotted-line releasing position, as shown in F ig. 9, to thereby permit themain motor circuit contacts 107 and 108 to be opened to shut down the plant. It desired. the plant maybe shut down manually by pushing down the pin 159 which moves the diaphragm 156 downwardly and through the medium of theV arm 160. and pin 168 also effects releasing movement of the locking arm 166. The plant may also be started by moving the pin 150to swing the aini 86 into fullline position to lioldthe contacts 107 and 108 closed.

In ordinary household use, the plant may stand idle for considerable periods, overnight A gas may be used for heating' the water in :the hot-water system in which case there is a continuous loaden the producer and the fuel bed is thus maintained in .good gas-making condition so that it immediately responds to increased load to give any desired quantity of good gas within its capacity. But where the producer stands tain it alight, thus permitting remote control at all' times.

This means yis. shown clearly in Fig. 3 in which the ycontrol mechanism is provided with a third electrode 280,-Wliich is similar to y the electrode127f, but' is of somewhat less length. Theelectrode .280. is mounted to the cover 118 within .the tube 126 by' means of: a screw-binding post 282. Provided in the gaskets 121 and 122and the cover 118 are aligned openings.'indicated at 288, and the.

metalV ring 11.9 is. also. provided with Yan' aligned bore within which is inountedthe end of a tube 284. ,There isV thus formed a passage which.y communicates withfthe space. f Within the interior ofthe tube 126. The tube 284y leadsl toy an orifice. member285, shown in- Fig. 1:.0, which contains van orifice of controlled size opening to. atmosphere to thereby i permit the escape-of the gasI pressure within the tube 126 at a controlled rate. rP his orifice member 285 may be of any-suitable character; but in practice apiece of' thermometer tubing` functions very satisfactorily. y During operation-the. tube'126: wil-l be so filled-with. gas thatthe level ofthe electrolyteis at approximately the lower e'nd-` ofthe electrode 127, termed the` running-= electrode.; Butwheln the plant is shut dow-n or standing'by',.th'e electrolyte rises withinfthetube126v until it l contacts with the lower eud of the tube 14() which then shuts off` comnnmication yof the space within the tube=126 with theventpipe. The lower end ofthe. tube 14.0 extendssomewhat below: the. lower Vend of the electrode 280, termedthe standby electrode. Therefore, astheelectrolytecovers the lower end of the tube 140, gas is trapped withinr thegtube 126 which is not permittedv to escape except" by passing.` through 'the oriiice member y 285;` Andzther effective area4 ofxthat orifice is, such that; after af predetermined.:intervat gas will haveescaped suiiiciently: topernnt' the` electrolyte'to. 'move upwardly intheV tube 126V to Contact withthe electrodeQSOi This electrode 2801 connectedsbyz means ofspa. v conductor; 28wwithfthe side 781.; offthe houselighting line,l the arrangement being 'K auch that as the-.electrolyte contacts` mth. the` electrode@ 28.0.the Amotor iS energize-d .to Start thehlowereto cause-blowing-iu of the fuel bed,

But the motorwill run for onlya brief period as its operation builds uppressure within the passage 4Q which iscomrnllnicated .tothe-tube 140. and space within the tube 126to..again depress the electrolyte` within the, tube :126 to break contactv of the electrolyte lvsriththe electrode 280. Theblowing-in` period may be of such lengthas desiredfbut ordinarily is just sufficient to livenup theffuel bed andleepity alight. The intervalsbetweentheseperiodic blastings will depend upon the. time necessary for thegasleakage. from the tube y1 26..to. permit closing ofthe by-.pass circuit,`-,and this Adepends on ther size of-'the tube. 126, the extent of necessaryv electrolyte. rise therein, andtheeiective area ofthe orifice. In actual practice very satisfactory. resultsv have been secured where these blastingsoccurat about five-minute intervalsgl; butthe lintervals be- 'tween thempinay be regulated Ato suit operating conditions. Because :of the Vno rinal standby positioning of the vent valve 48,tlie gas. resultingfrom such periodical blasting wi ll be discljiaiged to the vent pipe; The electrical motor circuit includingthe electrode 280 forms. a shuntcircuit about the main motor circuit contacts 107 and 108.

v,The generated producer gas contains some water vapor, which may condensewithin a very small orifice member suchasthe member 285,*resulting in stoppage of the orifice andimproper functioning of the intermittent Y blow-up mechanism.k To prevent such a con.-

tingency, means are provided-for preventing anyk possibility vof condensation of moisture withinthe. orifice member 285; This is accomplished in the form of invention disclosed clearly in 1,0 by: positioningathe. orifice member 285 -y within aheated atmosphere whichisabovethe condensation point of such water vapor. As shown, the orifice member is positioned. withinthesaturator chamber 28 formed withinthebase 21 of the. producer. Asshown 'clearly in Figs. l and..` 10, the pipe 28e; extending Y from the electrolytie. switch leads tof` casting 2931 which is positionedon. the exterior of thebase21 ofthe producer 14. The castinginember'293 isr fastenedto a second'casting 294by means ofscrews 295. The second casting member 29.4 is formedwitha cylindrical l projecting end 296- which extends through thewall` of the base 21 ofthev producer into the steam: space ofthe saturator chamber 2 8.vk A portion 297 of enlarged diam-- etersof the cylindrical projection l296is screw- Vthreadedlyc received within a threaded bore 298 passing through thewall ofthe base 21. Y

The castingl293 is hollow, forming therein a condensate lchamber A300. The orificeV tube 285 communicates-with.-theupper-end of the K chamber 300, this tube in turn discharging into a. surrounding annular passage 302.. formed between' the oriiicetube 285` and they inner wall of. they cylindrical extension-r296. The oriiice tube 285is heldinpositionfby meansof arubber sleeve'303', which serves to prevent injury to the fragile tube 285 and alsoY prevents' leakage troni the chamber 300 directly into the annular passage 302. On the exterior of the base 2l, the casting 29eA is'provided with a plurality ofradialports 30llivhich provide communication of the passage 302 With the atmosphere. operation, gas passes from the 4tube 284 into the chamber 300, i Where some of the Water vapor contained therein'is condensed, this Water flowing to the bottom of the chamber or trap from Where it may be reinovedfroin time to time by means of a drain plug 305. The gas passes from the It@ chamber 300 ata controlled rate through the orifice tube 285, Where due to the heating effectof the ste'ain Within the saturator charnber any condensationfof Water vapor' still retained Within the gasis prevented. The gas 20 then liovvs through the annular passage 302to the ports 30d Where it escapes into the atmosphere.V A y 1 l Means are provided for supplying Water to thev saturatorV chamber 28 Vof the producer in accordance with the deniand for fresh .vater due tothe vaporizationto 'form steain `for the blast. This nieanscoinprises Va Water' container V310, shown clearly'in Figs. 3 and 4,. which ispivotally attached to depending lugs 30 3'11 .extending from the casing- Lll on opposite sides of thek container 310. This livater .container 310 has a dependingpoclzet 313 intol which extend tivodraintpipes 314 and 315 which 'drain oit troni the chambers 43 and "3 4:4 respectively any moisture which may condenseV therein. The container 310 is -connected by nieans 'et a `flexible pipe 316 to a Water inlet connection 317 feeding into the saturator chamber 28 in the base 2l of theproducer.

la Water' is supplie'dfto the container "310 through the pipe 313 ltixedly supported in a. threaded bore 3i9'torined inan extension 320`integrally carriediby the casing Lll. vThe y pine 318 leads'into a nozzle 321 the lower end oi which opens Ainto thevcontainer 310. Car-- riod by the container 310 adjacent the end ot the nozzle 32l is a valve n'ieinber 322, which is inoved tovvard or away troni the opening in the nozzle 321 asthe container' 3l0 sv-.fings aboutits pivotal supports 3l The water in the container tends toisiving the container aber-tits pivotal supports ina clockwise direction asshownin F ig. The container :3:10:i'sprovided vwith a projection 323 upon which is adj iistablyinounted a balance `Weight 32st. This bala-nce Weight tends tocounterT balance the tendency the Water to swing the container in a cloclvvisedirectionto nieve the: valve toward the nozzle 32lto shut l?? 'he supply ,of Water to the,A container. reason et this arrangi'enient,l the positioning ot the valve with respet to the open end etY the I'uizzle32l vai'es 'a'ccordingfto'tne quantity of' Water .Within the container. @t course the gi '[ter the'load upon the producer the more rapid the vaporization ot the water in the saturaoi to forni Vsteamv whichv is incoryoraiefi v .i the air oit the blast. and th refer-e the v eater the quantity ot Water that inust' Vlion' troni the container ill() through the pipe'3`l6to thesaturator. This pivotal mounting and'counterlmlancing ot the container' 315.0 results insuch motion ot the container that the valve 322 is moved away troni the nozzle to permit a greater flow of Waiter when the Water level ialls, and moved toward the nozzle to cut down the tioiv oi' water when the Water level rises.

" The vent pipe 3% discharges to atniosnhere on the exterior of the building. generally through a chimney, or the pipe inal be e1;- tended to he exterior. During standby periods of the producer,l particularly in cold Weather; a back-flojav tends to occur in the vent pipe7 which tends to force gas and air back into the producer; To prevent this, au outwardly opening check valve 325 fis positioned Within the ventpipe 3%. -This'valve niay be an ordinary flap valve pivoted at one side ot' the pipe as at 326 so as to open outwardly under4 pressure of gas being discharged to the/vent pipe dur-ing blowing in ot the tuel bed.7 and to seat by gravity to close the pipev during standby periods kto prevent back iioiv through the vent pipe. in

order to prevent Within the producer' vteni Jfrom baekinginto the ash pit andthence Ythrough the air-inlet opening 20 out into the rooin inV which the producer is situated, an inwardly opening check valve 327 is provided in the air-inlet connection. As shown, the check valve S27-is a fiap valve pivoted aty to the casing 20 so as to close by gravity the open face 329 of this casing vconstituting the air-inlet opening. Thus when suction is created in the producer by operation of the blower7 air for the blast passes freely past the inwardly opening flap valve 32T, but during standby periods the valve closes b v gravity to prevent any back flow through the air-inlet connection. This construction not onlyprevents back draft through. the system. but also serves to hold the fire or heat o1 vthe incandescent .fuel bedavithin the producer ttor longer intervals, so that less frequent intermittent last-ings during stainlby'periods serve to maintain the fuel bed in goed gas-making condition.

In Figs. 1l and'12 is shown a somewhat inodilied sylphon valve-.shifting construction adapted to automatically disconnect the producer from thevent pipe and to connect it to the house-delivery linefivhen the gas becomes combustible. In this forni kof the invention, the-sylphon 219 is provided with a `sten1330 WhichveXtends through a flared opening 331' inthe upstandinor arni 332 of the stationary casting 201 to Which the sylphon casing 22st is pivotally connected by ineans of a pin 227.l The end of the stem 330 ooY of thes'ylphonis 'retained iii position Within the 'opening 331 by i'heai'is 'of avv'aslier 334 and screW335 `ifvlfii'eh is yre'ceiv'edivithin the hol-low threaded bore of the 'stein '330,*t'l`ie lstein being otlierivis'e freely movable yivitl^i`iii `the bore. The flared opening 331 pe'rinits the pivotal e d to ooperatewith-fthe upper end of thei-irid` arm 332. The lever 338 alsohes a deidiiig iirni 342 which is biiirca'tedat its lo ver end andstraddles thesteni'33() of the svlphon 219 and is adapted to bear against the end closure member220of the sylphon fas indicated at 343.v Mounted iifpo'n the stein' 330 'and bearing 'against a collar 344 abutting' the stationary 'arm'. 332 et one end, and bearing against afcoller 345 :bearing against the clov-r sure 220 of the spring "346. y Y. Y

En'operation,` henfthe sylphon burner 206 is kignited vb vineaiis of the spark'plugs 251` ,and'i25ll-I in Vthe man-ner previously described,v l

thebiirning ofthe gasrapidlyheats 'the fluid Within. the svlphon 219 prodiicingian 'expansion and a lengthening of the sylphoii cas-k iiig. The one end'of the sylphon easing 219( `is rigidly fastened as at 348 to the sylphon casing-224:. 1 Consequently, lengthening 'ofthe' sylphon casing 219 moves the 'opposite end 220 and associated stein 330 toward the stir tioiiary arm 332, the endoftlie stein-'sliding through the bore 331 to permit siichmovenient.' yThis expansion movement rocks" the arii'i 342 'of thevlocking lever 338v clockwise,`

and when thesylphon/'has sufficiently expanded the locking 'lever is released from the up'- per end of the stationary Aarm 332and the stored-up energy of vthe sylphon 219 ind the tension of the spring 346 serve to rock the sylphon casing 22liibout itspivotal connection 22T to. positively throw the aotuatingarin 240 of the vent valve. fbi adjiistible stop 350 is tlieadedly jinoui'ited Within the Wall of the sylphonciising 22e in position t'o Contact with the uppereiid ofthe stationary arm 332 to limit the extent of rocl'ing movement of the sylphon casing. Upon cooling 'of the syl` phon and eoi'itractioii thereof, the casing22t" is roeked counter-clockwise lagainstthe -aotion 4ofthe springB-to resiiine its' former position. The endet: the flockiigflev'er l338 is beveled-as' -indi-'Jated at 351v to permit this sylphon at the other 'endis afA lever to ride Aover the upper beveled end '352 of the stiitioi'iaryl arm 332` to resume its lockin'gpositioii. l i y s In Fig. 13 is'sh'Wi'i a slightly modified forni offle'ak tube `construction for lthe electrolivtie switch mechanism 94". In this forni,

lealrtube 284i leading ofi' from the space Witliin ltl'iep tube 1,26 `of the `eiectrolytic switch has a ldoivni'vardlX/f entending portion 354 connect#` l e trap 355 Whiehis formed as edito ae i I liollowfcasting lia-ving a condensate chamber np'vq -vr.-..,r. y. nov., @e6 theiein provided-with a drain plug no6 Leading o roin theiipper end of the condensate v cha tube i357 359 4with a pieee'of'tlierinoni'eter tubing 285'; providing the I'controlled orifi'ee lfor the escape of gas troni the elecrrolytic switch. The conj 1.1i A 1 geiiei'atin-g system Coi' pri "dig "a y g I from said' producennvent pipe 'coi'iii'ected With said producer7 a gasl offtai lending oiiitale, al delivery main coi'inected with said oiiltele, inidaiitonfiatic means for controlling` communicationof said oftalre jivith said vent pipe "or vivithl said deliver;T main iii accordance ivitlr-the quality 'of the' generated gas, saidv automatic means coinlprising ia' valve, i bii'i ier, means for supplying:generated i sto saidE iburner'z an `'exp'a'nsibleK and Vcontrae i syiphonresponsive to heat genera-ted bythe burnin .oigiis at s ifid b riiei', and anoperaiiectioiibetwe'en saidsi'fiplion and said vaive 'wherebyinoveinentot said sylplioii etiec'ts shitting nioifeincnt 'et sind lvalv Y l 2. Ii gasgeiierating' svste'iifi coii'ipri. iml a producer. :i `gas initiatie lending ofi' ii'oii'i 'v 'producer-` :i1 yveut 'pipe connes il with siiidi-offtaljiedeiivei' i'iiriii'i conne/Ct l with said'oiiitalie; vii veinoaiisf'or "of rolling conn in ui'iicatioiiiofsard' 'tiitake ivi" id vfii or. with said vdeliver,vr means i'oi'controlling 'the position of sind veifve iii vaccordance i iith the quality of the generated gas', sai "automaticmeans comprisiiiga burn` nieaiis'for supplyiii vgenerated to i ,liiifiiieil.- iin expansib and coiitrzictible sylplion positioned to be heated tlie ;bnriring of gas atsiidx burner, a pivtally mounted' 'sylphoii casting, :alii i operative oon-y lberfis an upwardly extending p ovided "with a reverse bend 358` vivhic'his Connected by a' rubber.connection main; ai'id autom( ie" uectionbetweeu said sylphon andsaid casing whereby expanding and contract-ing movement of .i id sylplron produces rocking movementjo' said casing about its pivot, and an actual ig lever for said valve positioned to be contacted by saidcasing on rocking movement thereof to'ctlect shifting of saidvalve.

A gas generating system comprising a gas producer, a. gas-o-tftake leading E from said producer, a vent pipe connected with said otftalie, a deliveryvmain connected with said on'tale, vvalve means for controlling communication of said ofl'take withv said vent pipe or 4with said delivery main, and automatic means for controlling the posit-ion oil said valve in accordance with the quality ot lthe generated gas, said automatic means comprising a burner, means for supplying generated gas to said burner, an expansible and contractible sylphon responsive gas producer, a gas oltake leading olf from said producer, a vent pipe connected with saidloltale, a delivery main connected with said oftake, valve means for controlling communication of said oftake with said vent pipe or with said delivery main, and automatic.

means for controlling the position of said valve 1n accordance with the quality of the lgenerated gas, said automatic means comprising a burner, means for supplying generated gas to said burner, an expansible and contractible sylphon responsive to heat generated by the burningof gas at said burner, a stationary support for one end of said sylphon, a sylphon casing pivotally mounted on a stationary support, a connection between the other end of said sylphon and said sylphon easing, the pivotal mounting of said casing and the vstationary support for said one end of the sylphon being so spaced that expanding and contracting movement of said sylphon effects rocking .movement of said casing about its pivotalmounting, an actuating lever for said valve positionedto be con tacted by said casing on rocking movement thereofto effect shifting of said valve, locking means for restraining actuating movement of said casing during initial expanding movement of said sylphon, and means responsive to a predetermined expanding movement of said sylphon to release said locking means to thereby eect ,a sudden shifting movement of said valve. A

'.rA gas generating system comprising a gas producer@ gas offtake leading from said producer, a ventpipe connected with said ofitake, a delivery main connected with said oltake, and automatic means for controlling communication of said offtake with said vent pipe or with said delivery main in accordance with the quality of thegenerated gas, said automatic means comprising a burner, means for supplying generated gas to said burner, means coacting with said burner adapted to effect opening of communication between the said o take and said delivery main and closing of communication between the said oiitake and said vent when the gas issuing from said burner becomes combustible and burns, said automatic l means having mechanism for automatically cutting od the supply of gas to said burner when said means operates to eliect opening of communication between the said oii'talre and said delivery main and closingof comn'iunication between the said otlitake and said vent.

6. A gas generating system comprising a gas producer, a gas otftake leading off from said producer, a. vent pipe connected .with said oftake,`a delivery7 main connected with said offtake, valve means for controlling communication of said offtake with said vent pipe or with said delivery main, and automovement of said valve when gas issuing.

from said burner 'becomes combustible, and pressure actuated igniting means operably responsive to pressure within said vent pipe for igniting the gas issuing from said burner.

7. Gas generating apparatus of the character described,comprising a gas producer lia ving a fuel bed, a pump for blasting the Jr'uel hed of said producer to generate combustible gas, avalve casing connected Vto the outlet.

side of Saidpump, a gas distributing line leading oit from said casing, a vent pipe leading oil from, said casing, a. valve wit-hin said casing tending to move toward position to close oli' the distributing line from the outlet ot the pump.l and automatic means tor shiftingsaid valve to open connection between the distributing line and said pump outlet and close connection between the vent pipe and saidpump outlet, said automatic means comprising a by-pass leading oit -from said casing on the vent pipe side of said valve, a burner connected to said by-pass, means coacting' with said burner adapted to eifect shifting movement of said valve when gas issuing from said burner becomes combustible and burns, igniting means for said burner, and pressure-actuated means responsive to pressure within said by-pass for controlling the operation oft said igniting means.

8. Gas genei.ting apparatus of the characa s'faf'lvecasingconneetedto the outlet side# tei' described, comprising a, :gas producer havimg tuel"bed',ia pump -fo-rfblastmlg the iuei'be'd .of said produce-rA to 'generate combustible gas,

said pump, gas distributing line leading on' from "said,` casi g, l a venti pipe leading foila from said. casing," a valve wiitl'iin said cfe'i'siiiggl tending' to move 'torvardposition to close oil' the.'distributing"linefrom the outlet of the pump, an d autnn'atic means vfor .shitting said valve to @Den .connection between the distributing' 'line andsai d pump 'cutie/tand 'close' connection between the vent pipe and4 said pump outlet, said automatic means comprising a bypass leading. oil' from said'casing on 'the vent pipesidejoi: id valve, a. burner connected to said -bu'rnerf and adapted to be actuated lwhen gas iss'uin-g from saidburi'ie'r becomes'combustible andfburns, an operative.connection between sait. sylpli'on and said vvalve@whereby `actuation of; theV sylph'on eii'e'cts slu tting movement of 'the valve, "electric 'ilg'nitiug means-for said burner, and pressure operated control switch in the ciicuit of said ignitingl'i'ieans responsive to pressure' Within said `l 'yp"a'es and ada-ptcd'to beeicl'osed only when gas is bei-ng discharged through said lay-pass.

M9'. vGas generati-'ngapparatus of the character described, c'o-'inprisin-g aga-s producer having a Lt'uel bed, a pump for blasting the fuel bed ot' said producei' to generate combustible gas, 'avalve casingk connected tothe outlet side of said pu'mp, a gas .distributing'line leading 'oli'l from'said casing', a vent pipe lead-' ing olf yfrom said` casing, a falve'\'vithin said casing teiliding` to move toward position to close ofil the 'distributing linie fromthe outlet of the pump, whereby when said valve is moved to open 'com'iection between Vthe distributing line anc said pump outlet and to close connect-ion between said -vent and said pump outlet :the valve is `held in such moved position by the normal pressure oi gas passing vthrough said valve casing, and automatic means for shifting said valve, said automatic means comprising a sylphon, a. burner positioned to heat said sylphonmeans or supplying,Y generated gas' to said burner, and means for automatically shutting oft'the ,supplyot gas to said burner when said sylphon isfactunted' to shift said \f'al\5eWhcreby said sylphorn'thencools, and releases said valve,r so that the latter may move Vto again closeoff the distributing line and open the ventpipe When theiviressnre ot' said delivered gas alls'to a predetermined mini-mum,

10, gas generating system comprisinga.

prodjficena oiiftake leading: romsaid producer a vent pipe connected with said oit-x Tel 'veiyinainconnected with saidotl'- ai* comuiunicati n ofseidotalie; with saidvent pipe or' with seid Cllelivenyinzun in accord-ance iby-p'ass,fafsylphon coac'ting with said -omatic means -lfor contnolling.

'with the q'ualityotf'tle generated' gas, f said automatic kmeans comprising fsylphon, and a for said ksylplion v having circulation Iopenings therein to facilitate the passage of convection cui` 1ents overk said sylphon. l1. A gasgen'erating system comprising a f gas producer, 'a gas oiitake leading from'said )reducer a vent n e connected with said Oiltak'e, ai delivery 'mainconnected With said otakegand automatic means for controlling stat, e burner having a poi-tion thereof posi# ti'oned "beneath said thermostat `and another portion at one side kif-said 'theriniostat, i nit- Ving means for Esa-id other portion lots'aid burner, 'and means for preventing"premature burning1 of' 'gas issuing from said iii-st portion of said burner beneath thetherinost'atuntil said gas becomes capable of Vsupporting com'- bustion .Without the aid of said' igniting means. Y l K 12.' A gas generatingsystem comprising a gas producer, a 'gas-oiitake leading 'oiiffroin sjaidfp'roducer, a vent 'pipe 'connected ul'ith said ofltake, a delivery m-ainconnected with said oftake, valve means fory controlling "coinmimication et dfo'fta'ke 'with said 'vent pipe oiywith said delivery main, 'and automatic means forv controlling theV positi'onfof said valve injac'cordance-With the quality'ot the generated gas, said automatic means com# piising a burner, meansfor supplying@enerated gas to s'a-idburnei, means coacting Yu'ith said burner adapted Lto etlect*shifting` `m `i`ve= ment of said valvewhon ,ojos issuing ron'i said burner becomes combustible, a Work device',a second burner coacting With said vofijl de-` vice, means forsupplying` generated gas to' said: v'second'burner, means floi' automatically igniting the gas issuingiifoni both burners when said gas'becomes Combustible, said automatic meensfhaving mechanism orfautomatio'a'lly cutting' o tbesupply of to said iirst `burner while maintainingthe supply 4to said second burner when shift-ing movement of said valve'hasbeenefected' 18. Gasgenerating afppa'retusot the eli* noter described, comprising a gasprodL adapte'd-tocontain ,a -lu'el bedo" carboni material, l' b i means: for preventing condensationot more@ in saidLoiio nemb'er ,L epporatusoff-the cin i" 

